IAVA Supports VA Budget Request But Calls for More Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2016) – President Obama yesterday unveiled his administration’s fiscal year 2017 budget proposal, which includes $182.3 billion for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The final budget of his presidency would grow the department’s budget by 8.8 percent over its $167.5 billion FY16 budget.

“While budget increases are needed, they will not fix things alone,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA. “We’ve had budget increases for the last 10 years but that hasn’t repaired the VA. Leadership, budget flexibility and execution are all critical. At the same time, the administration must remain vigilant in modernizing and bringing more accountability to the VA. This will require strong oversight, continued transformation and leadership from the VA, Congress and veteran service organization watchdogs like IAVA.”

The proposed budget invests in key priorities for veterans including Secretary McDonald’s ‘MyVA’ plan, to transform the VA and end the VA claims backlog, and a provision for funds for homeless veterans reintegration. It also invests critical funds to improve healthcare for women veterans, the fastest growing segment of the veteran population. And, as the one year anniversary of the signing of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act approaches on Friday, IAVA is also encouraged that more funding is being proposed to address the staggering suicide rate among our veteran men and women.

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America...remains the most important organization representing the new generation of veterans." - TIME Magazine

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the premier veterans advocacy and support organization on the planet. Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness, and 1-on-1 case management support. Our mission is to connect, unite, and empower over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide. We have connected more than 1.2 million veterans with resources and community, and provided thousands of veterans of all generations with life-saving and life-changing personalized support from our Masters-level social service professionals.